Get the latest health and behavior news andadvice from the veterinarians at Tufts University.

Editor's Note December 2015 Issue

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Volunteers Needed for Survey on Pet Food

Researchers at Tufts University are looking for volunteers to complete a brief survey about feeding practices for dogs and cats. This survey will ask questions about your pet, what food you purchase, how you feed your pet and your relationship with your pet.

Your responses to the survey questions will be kept confidential. Please feel free to pass along this information to friends and family who may also be interested in participating in this research study. Thank you for your time!

Lisa Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

Until Next Year!

As 2015 draws to a close, there’s still a lot we can do to improve the lives of our pets.

I don’t know about you, but I experienced a lot of ups and downs over this past year. I moved into a new house in a new town; I encountered far more “this old house” types of problems than I anticipated; my new home experienced a fire a couple of months later; and I added a new (adult) cat to my peaceful multicat household.

That said, I quietly benefited from things I’ve learned while working on this newsletter: At the top of the list is the importance of having an emergency/disaster plan in place. (Remember: they wouldn’t be considered emergencies or disasters if we could schedule them ahead of time!) Getting through that winter night of the fire with my cats safe and sound is something I will always be thankful for — especially looking back and realizing that it could have turned out much differently.

The same can be said regarding the vital importance of creating a trust for your pets in the event of your passing, especially unexpectedly and sudden. Again, you can’t plan for this. But you can find a lawyer and set about making provisions for your beloved animals.

I definitely needed to brush up on how to make proper feline introductions when adopting this new cat — and the emphasis on ‘patience’ was important as I saw my resident cats struggle with accepting the new one. Catnip was a great source of information for this sticky situation.

Obviously, some issues of Catnip will provide more useful information for you than others. We try to create a mix that will interest and educate our readership each month. But you never know when last month’s unusual health or behavior problem may meander its way into your own home. So be prepared!

Elizabeth Vesci Executive Editor

Story Tools

Volunteers Needed for Survey on Pet Food

Researchers at Tufts University are looking for volunteers to complete a brief survey about feeding practices for dogs and cats. This survey will ask questions about your pet, what food you purchase, how you feed your pet and your relationship with your pet.

Your responses to the survey questions will be kept confidential. Please feel free to pass along this information to friends and family who may also be interested in participating in this research study. Thank you for your time!

Lisa Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

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Comments (1)

I have found the most humane way to introduce a new cat to the resident cats is to have a *cat* crate. House the new cat in the cage for however long it takes everyone to get comfortable with each other. You can cover the crate with a sheet for a few days if that makes the newbie more comfortable. Be sure to put a sturdy platform on top of the crate and secure it with a bungee cord or other means, because the resident cats will be wanting to use the top of the crate for lounging.

In general, If there is more than one cat in the household, I think it's a wise idea to have a cat crate. It is invaluable when a cat has to be monitor closely for any reason.